Lately we have heard a lot about "building green", and we understand that it helps the environment. But the big question is "how do we build green in the plumbing industry?" There are many aspects to the plumbing industry that can "go green": Service and Repair; Residential New Construction; Commercial New Construction and Remodeling.

What is the definition of Green Construction?
According to Green Building Solutions:
Sustainable or 'green building' design and construction is the opportunity to use resources more efficiently, while creating healthier and more energy-efficient homes. Although there is no magic formula, success comes in the form of leaving a lighter footprint on the environment through conservation of resources, while at the same time balancing energy-efficient, cost-effective, low-maintenance products for our construction needs. In other words, green building design involves finding the delicate balance between homebuilding and the sustainable environment.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger wants California to go "GREEN". Through Executive Order S-20-04, known as the "Green Building Initiative," and the accompanying Green Building Action Plan, the governor calls for public buildings to be 20 percent more efficient by 2015 and encourages the private sector to do the same. For more information on the "Green Building Action Plan" go to www.documents.dgs.ca.gov/green/GreenBuildingActionPlan.pdf.

Governor Schwarzenegger stated that, "California is blessed with vast resources... we rededicate ourselves to making California cleaner, greener and more prosperous. The green building approach builds in conservation from the ground up... It's good for business and it's great for the environment."

Economic Benefits if Building Green
Many have concerns that "going green" is more costly. The report "The Costs and Financial Benefits of Green Buildings" issued in October 2003 by California's Sustainable Building Task Force, states that, on average a typical two-percent increase in upfront costs to achieve green design yields a life-cycle savings of 20 percent of the total investment.

Some benefits of going green that are less quantifiable include improving occupant health, comfort, productivity, reducing pollution and landfill waste. Consequently, they are not adequately considered in the cost analysis.

Ways to Start Plumbing Green
Here are some reasons why "Going Green" is beneficial:

    • Green fixtures are designed to be more hygienic and convenient to use. For example, sensor-operated faucets, which automatically turn off and on and keep water from running excessively, enable users to wash without touching bacteria-laden surfaces.

    • Sensor-operated fixtures address ongoing maintenance issues as well. Reducing the users' direct contact with the fixture reduces the wear and tear, which can ultimately result in costly repairs. Touchless fixtures don't have handles or push buttons that are vulnerable to everyday use and abuse.

    • Each type of plumbing fixture can do its part in saving water and/or energy - and money, of course! For example, facilities can shave as much as 80 percent off energy costs caused by conventional hand dryers, as well as 90 percent off the cost of buying and cleaning up after paper towels, by installing ultra fast, energy-efficient hand dryers oper-

    • Sensor-operated faucets regulate water use. Based on the Food and Drug Administration's recommended hand washing procedures - four second to wet hands, 20 seconds to lather with soap, and four seconds to rinse hands - a sensor-operated faucet can save as much as one gallon of water per use by shutting off during the lather cycle.

    • New lower flush toilets can help save even more water than the current 1.6-gpf. There are several new models available on the market. There is are pressure-assist, 0.8-gpf toilets that use only about 60 percent as much water required by low-consumption models, while newer 0.5-gpf urinal flushometers have cut water use in half.

    • Use recirculating systems for centralized hot water distribution.

    • Install point-of-use hot water heating systems for more distant locations.

    • Meter landscape separately from buildings.

Green Home = Happy Homeowners
When it comes to consumers building green homes, a study by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and McGraw-Hill Construction found that homeowners are extremely happy with their investments, and 85 percent saying they are more satisfied with their new green home than with their former, more traditionally built homes.
The research also found that:

    • The new green home owner is affluent and well-educated, in his/her mid-forties and married, and also more likely to be from the Southern or Western states. Women are also more likely to be green homeowners.

    • Sixty-three (63) percent report lower operating and maintenance costs as the key motivation behind buying a green home. Additionally, nearly 50 percent said they are motivated by environmental concerns and their family health.

    • More than 60 percent of those surveyed say that consumer awareness, additional costs and the limited availability of homes are obstacles to green homes gaining a bigger market share.

How Much Water Is Used Daily In a Home
Water being the precious commodity that it is - it is interesting to see the national average water consumption by end use for new homes:

Steps to Ensure Success in Building Green
    • Establish a vision that embraces sustainable principles and an integrated design approach.

    • Develop a clear statement of the project's vision, goals, design criteria, and priorities.

    • Develop a project budget that covers green building measures. Allocate contingencies for additional research and analysis of specific options. Seek sponsorship or grant opportunities.

    • Seek advice of a design professional with green building experience.

    • Select a design and construction team that is committed to the project vision. Modify the RFQ/RFP selection process to ensure the contractors have appropriate qualifications to identify, select, and implement an integrated system of green building measures.

    • Develop a project schedule that allows for systems testing and commissioning.

    • Develop contract plans and specifications to ensure that the building design is at a suitable level of building performance.

    • Create effective incentives and oversight.

Green Products -What's Out There
Previously, the problems with "going green" were availability of green products and the up-front cost (or at least the perceived initial cost - not including the savings). As the awareness increases, the product availability and quantity increase and the costs becomes more effective. Talk to your wholesalers and retailers for more "green" products.